National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association

The OSU Rodeo Team was present at the very first meeting that formed the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) in 1948 and has been a member ever since. The nation is divided in to eleven regions and the OSU Rodeo Team is a member of the Central Plains Region. The Central Plains region consists of schools and athletes from Kansas, Oklahoma, and western Missouri.

OSU competes against athletes from NCAA Division I, II, and III schools. Division I schools differ from Division II and Division III schools with regards to rodeo as the NCAA recognizes rodeo as a sport in Division II and III schools, where it does not at Division I schools. That means that Division I schools are forced to view rodeo as a club sport only.

College rodeo athletes compete as Men’s teams and Women’s teams. Men’s rodeo events consist of Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steerwrestling, Tie Down Roping, and Team Roping. Women’s rodeo events consist of Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, Goat Tying, and Team Roping. Team Roping is the only event that men and women can compete together.

For more information about the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, please visit their website at collegerodeo.com.